The MSc in Investment Analysis is the longest-established postgraduate-level programme in the field of investment management education in the UK. The programme syllabus has a distinct international orientation that reflects the increasingly globalised nature of financial markets and the investment management profession. The programme is recognised by the CFA Institute and, as it covers at least 70% of CFA® Level I, II and III exams, is ideally suited to those who wish to become qualified as a CFA® charter-holder.

Entry requirements

Entrance Requirements At least a lower second class Honours degree in any discipline or equivalent professional qualifications or significant and relevant experience. Although an accounting or finance related degree is not required for admission to this programme, students should be reasonably numerate.

The Master’s programme is a one-year, full-time programme with an initial taught component of two 15-week semesters, involving lectures, practical case study work and workshops, with a supervised dissertation in the final period.

In the Autumn Semester you will take the following modules: Financial Reporting: Provides an appreciation of the underlying assumptions and limitations of accounting information. Measurement and reporting problems involved in financial accounting ‘solutions’ adopted by regulators are discussed. Corporate Finance: Provides an understanding of how corporations raise finance (debt and equity) and how they invest money (capital budgeting, hedging, acquisitions). This module examines the major decision areas of corporate finance and how these affect the value of the firm. Economics for Business and Finance: Introduces you to economics as a discipline, assuming no prior knowledge of economics. It focuses on aspects most relevant to a career in finance. Quantitative Methods in Finance: Provides the statistical and computing skills necessary to fully understand modern banking and finance operations. Excel is used to manipulate statistical models and to estimate linear models.

In the Spring Semester you will take the following modules: Financial Statement Analysis: Develops skills in the interpretation and use of financial statements, focusing on company valuation and identification of companies that may become insolvent. It includes a group project where students collaborate to write and present an investment analysis report on a UK quoted company. Derivatives: Focuses on the uses and the pricing of the key derivative instruments: options, futures, forwards and swaps. The module covers learning outcomes from all three levels of the CFA® programme. Investments and Portfolio Management: Focuses on the valuation of both equities and fixed-interest securities and the management of equity and fixed-interest portfolios. The module covers learning outcomes from all three levels of the CFA® programme. Law of Investment Regulation: The legal systems of the UK, USA and China are considered in relation to rules that directly impact on those working in the sector, such as enforcement of securities laws, insider dealing and market abuse. We also cover the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct of the CFA®.

Delivery and Assessment

Successful completion of the taught modules leads to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma. The Master’s degree is awarded on satisfactory completion of a dissertation following the Diploma examinations. Dissertation topics range over all areas of relevance to investment analysis and allow completion of a case study or research topic dissertation.

Career Opportunities

Graduates have gone on to work across the world in both the buy side (fund management) and the sell side (stock broking) of the industry. You are assisted in your job search by the University’s Career Development Centre. Many graduates from outwith the European Union now choose to apply to the Fresh Talent Initiative and remain in Scotland to work for a specified period.